YSC ALERT: Together Changing the Face of Breast Cancer: The YSC's Third Annual Membership Retreat

YSC ALERT: Together Changing the Face of Breast Cancer: The YSC's Third Annual Membership Retreat

New York, NY - (January 15, 2003)

On Sunday, February 23rd, 2003, the Young Survival Coalition (YSC) will be hosting "Together Changing the Face of Breast Cancer: The YSC's 3rd Annual Membership Retreat", and we hope you can join us.

The retreat will take place in Philadelphia, the day after the Third Annual Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer: Living Well Today for the Promise of Tomorrow co-hosted by the YSC and Living Beyond Breast Cancer on Saturday, February 22nd.

In November of 2000, the YSC hosted 25 young women at our first retreat in New York City. In 2001, the YSC hosted close to 100 motivated YSC volunteers and anticipates more than 150 YSC members to attend in 2002.

At the retreat, those who attend will have the opportunity to sit down with the national leaders of the YSC as well as many of the women who were at the conference to talk about their involvement in the YSC - what you can bring to the organization and what the organization can bring to you. Attendees will also have the chance to network with other young women who have gone through the same experiences, learn how they can have an impact in the YSC and become more effective leaders nationally and in local communities.

Below is an agenda for the retreat, along with information on hotel accommodations. For a retreat application form. and a conference brochure, email info@youngsurvival.org or call the YSC office at (212) 206-6610.

7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
New member orientation - for all new members
Local Group Round Table - for local group leaders to share ideas

8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Welcome and State of the YSC
Presentation about our accomplishments since the YSC was founded in 1998; YSC structure and future goals (Randi Rosenberg, YSC President)

9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
YSC Local Groups Discussion about what local groups are and what they do; what you need to get started; ways to be active in your local community (YSC local leaders)

10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Committee Meetings
Each of the five YSC National Committees (Advocacy, Development, Education and Outreach, Membership, Public Relations) will meet to discuss the purpose, mission and goals of the committee and how these goals can be achieved in 2003

11:00 a.m. to Noon
How to Make Our Goals Happen: Funding the YSC's Programs

Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Lunch and Volunteer Awards presentation

1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Second Committee Meeting Session
Members will again meet by committee this time to do interactive role-playing to learn how to effectively implement the committee's action items

2:00 p.m. to 2:50 p.m.
Volunteerism
Discussion of why volunteers are so important to the YSC and how we can get more motivated volunteers

2:50 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Closing

Hotel Accommodations
The YSC has set aside a block of rooms at the Hyatt Regency at Penn's Landing for the nights of Friday, February 21st and Saturday, February 22nd, where both the conference and the retreat will be held. The hotel overlooks the Delaware River and the Philadelphia Skyline and is located just 5 minutes from downtown Philadelphia. If you would like to share a room with a fellow YSC member, please let us know when you fill out the application form, and we will arrange for your hotel accommodations. If you would like to room on your own, please call the Hyatt directly to make your arrangements, but let us know, so we know where we can find you! Room rates are $115 per night. If you plan to share a room, the room rate will be $57.50 per night (not including tax and incidentals). The toll-free number to make a reservation is (800) 233-1234. Please ask for the Young Survival Coalition group rate.

PLEASE NOTE: All YSC members are individually responsible for the payment of their hotel accommodations and incidentals.

Food/Entertainment
On Saturday, February 22nd, all conference attendees will receive breakfast and lunch as part of the registration fee. That evening, the YSC will be hosting a dinner for all Retreat attendees at City Tavern located within 5 minutes of the hotel. (Directions will be provided and will be at the YSC table at the conference) On Sunday, February 23rd, coffee and lunch will be provided to those attending the retreat. Members arriving on Friday evening will be responsible for their own dinner that night.

Retreat Funding/Fundraising
While the YSC would like to give everyone a scholarship to the retreat, however, financial constraints don't allow this. So, we ask you to help us by raising the money for your travel and hotel accommodations to attend the conference on Saturday and the retreat on Sunday. We have attached a few tips and ideas on raising the money in your community, as well as a sample letter you can use to ask for an 'angel grant'. And, if you need more ideas or help in getting started, just give the YSC office a call at (212) 206-6610 and we will be more than happy to help!

Buddies
For new members and first-time attendees the YSC has created a buddy system to pair you with a member who is active in the YSC and has attended the conference and retreat before so that you know what to expect; have someone to great you when you arrive at the hotel; someone to sit with at the conference and someone to ask questions of about the YSC, the conference and the retreat prior to your arrival.

If you would like to be paired with another YSC member or be a Buddy to a first time conference and retreat attendee, check the box on the retreat application. If you have questions, email pnersesian@hotmail.com or call the YSC offices at (212) 206-6610.

YSC Fundraising Tips

Hold a bake sale ? make pink sugar cookies; brownies with pink frosting; cupcakes. Sell them at a local cafe!

Have your local salon hold a cut-a-thon for the YSC.

Having a birthday or anniversary? Have a party and ask for donations to the YSC in lieu of gifts.

Host a cocktail party in your home ? talk about the YSC and have a donation jar as the centerpiece.

Do you have a favorite hangout? Bar? Coffee Shop? Restaurant? If so, perhaps they'd donate a portion of their coffee, food or drink sales to you for the week.

Have a local restaurant give their buffalo wing or French fries sales for the week to the YSC.

Set up a YSC Poker Night ? all winning proceeds support the YSC?s efforts!

My name is Jen Levinson, and I am a member of the Young Survival Coalition (YSC), the only international network of survivors and supporters dedicated to the issues unique to young women and breast cancer.

The YSC along with Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC) will be hosting ?The Second Annual Conference for Young Women Affected By Breast Cancer: Living Well Today for the Promise of Tomorrow,? on February 23, 2003 in Philadelphia, and I am writing to request a $1,000 travel scholarship from the North Florida Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation for two YSC Florida members to attend the upcoming conference.

Last year, LBBC hosted the first annual conference, which ? I attended ? along with 300 other young breast cancer survivors all of whom were diagnosed with breast cancer under the age of 40 and who came to the conference from all over the United States. As a 34 year old, 4 month survivor ? I found the conference to be an incredibly educational and inspirational experience.

Last year?s conference featured Larry Norton, Head, Division of Solid Tumor Oncology from Memorial Sloan-Kettering as the keynote speaker ? he was both informative and uplifting, and this year?s conference also boasts a renowned panel. Currently, the following speakers are confirmed for the keynote panel:

Young breast cancer survivors face different concerns and issues than their post-menopausal counterparts. These issues include: higher mortality rates, more aggressive cancers, fertility issues, early menopause, dating and juggling young children while undergoing treatment. The YSC along with the LBBC are the only two organizations currently addressing the needs of young survivors on this level. The YSC surveyed their membership earlier this year and through this survey, the conference will offer two sets of breakout sessions focusing on the following topics:

Pregnancy and Fertility After Breast Cancer

Young Women and Metastatic Disease

Clinical Trials: What are they and How Can You Help Breast Cancer Patients of Tomorrow?

Complimentary and Integrative Therapy in Breast Cancer Treatment

Latest Techniques in Reconstructive Surgery

Tamoxifen: Risk vs. Reward

Financial Planning for Cancer Survivors: What You Need to Know

Genetic Testing and Family Risk

Breast Cancer Patient Advocacy: Turning Lemons into Lemonade

Managing Pre-Mature Menopause

Being diagnosed with breast cancer at any age is a traumatic experience, but being diagnosed in your 20s and 30s can be especially difficult. Young women feel very alone at the time of diagnosis because most don?t know anyone else their age who have experienced breast cancer and many support groups are attended by older women. The YSC and conferences like this one provide young survivors with access to leaders in the breast cancer medical community, a forum to share their experiences, learn from one another and to draw strength and inspiration from each other.

I would be delighted to talk with you further regarding the YSC, the February conference and the travel scholarship I am requesting. I have attached a budget for the travel scholarship for you to review.

I appreciate your consideration of this request and look forward to talking with you in the next few weeks. If you need to reach me for any reason or should have any questions, please don?t hesitate to contact me at 904-273-5659. Following is a summary of how funds would be allocated per person.